On July 29, 2013, EPA reached settlement agreements with two corporations, ACF Industries, Inc. (ACF) and Carter Building, Inc. (CBI), for a $30 million environmental cleanup of the Carter Carburetor Superfund Site in St. Louis, Mo.

Information about the Carter Carburetor Site

The Carter Carburetor Site, a 10-acre complex of buildings and structures covering parts of two city blocks at 2800 to 2840 North Spring Avenue, is a former gasoline and diesel carburetor manufacturing plant that operated from 1915 until 1984. The plant consisted of several connected multi-story manufacturing, testing, office, and warehouse buildings that contained approximately 480,000 square feet of space. During its operational life, the plant manufactured carburetors for gasoline and diesel-powered engines.

Pollutants and Environmental Effects

Although numerous chemicals were used in the manufacturing process, the more predominant contaminants found at the site include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and trichloroethylene (TCE). The primary polychlorinated biphenal (PCB) contamination at the site was due to Pydraul, a hydraulic fluid used primarily in die cast machines. TCE was a common industrial solvent primarily used for cleaning and degreasing carburetor components.

Summary of the Settlement Agreeements

The agreement with ACF was finalized on July 18, 2013. This agreement will result in the removal of asbestos materials from the four-story CBI Building, the demolition and removal of that same building, excavation and removal of PCB-contaminated soil from the Die Cast Area portion of the site, on-site treatment of TCE-contaminated soils at a former above-ground storage tank area, and follow-up environmental sampling to confirm the effectiveness of the cleanup activities.

The agreement with CBI was finalized on August 8, 2013. The CBI agreement provides for the removal of asbestos materials from the Willco Building and either the subsequent demolition and removal of the same building or a cleanup of PCBs from the building. Additionally, a component of the overall deal is to give the Boys and Girls Club the option to take without cost one of the parcels (CBI Building) of property post-removal, allowing for future recreational usage by the Club in a manner that will benefit the community as a whole.

Comment Period

The public comment periods on the ACF settlement was through August 18, 2013, and the CBI settlement through September 9, 2013.